.TAX2020 File Extension

TurboTax 2020 Tax Return

A TAX2020 file is a tax return document created specifically with the 2020 version of Intuit TurboTax software. These files contain all the information related to a United States tax return for the 2020 tax year (typically filed in 2021). The file stores tax-related information including personal data entered by users, federal IRS tax forms, and any applicable state tax forms.

For security purposes, TAX2020 files can be encrypted and password-protected by the user to safeguard the sensitive financial and personal information contained within them.

The TAX2020 file format was introduced with the release of the 2020 version of TurboTax, which became available in late 2020. These files are typically created in 2021, as annual tax returns are filed for the previous calendar year. The 2020 tax year filing period generally ran from January to May 2021 (with standard deadline of April 15, though extensions sometimes occur).

How TAX2020 Files Are Used

Users and applications use TAX2020 files in several ways:

• Saving progress: Desktop TurboTax users save their work-in-progress tax returns as TAX2020 files to continue preparation later.
• Backup purposes: These files serve as backups of completed tax returns for future reference.
• Transferring between platforms: Users can export TAX2020 files from TurboTax Online to work on them using the desktop version.
• Record keeping: Many taxpayers keep these files as digital records of their submitted tax returns.

Common Filenames

• Tax Return 20.tax2020: Default name for new files created in the desktop version
• taxReturn.tax2020: Default name for files downloaded from TurboTax Online

How to Open .TAX2020 as TurboTax 2020 Tax Return

TAX2020 files can only be properly opened and viewed using:

1. Desktop version of Intuit TurboTax 2020 (Windows or macOS)

   • Open the application
   • Select File → Open Tax Return...
   • Browse to and select your TAX2020 file
   • Enter password if the file is protected

2. TurboTax Online (for transfer purposes only)

   • Note that you cannot directly view a TAX2020 file in TurboTax Online, but you can upload it to transfer information from a previous year

Unfortunately, there are no standard document viewers or alternative applications that can open these proprietary files outside of TurboTax software.

Creating TAX2020 Files

In Desktop TurboTax:

1. Prepare your tax return
2. Select File → Save...
3. Choose your save location and options
4. Click Save

In TurboTax Online:

1. Complete your tax return
2. Click Tax Tools → Tools
3. Select "Save your 2020 return to your computer"
4. The file (taxReturn.tax2020) will download to your computer

How to Convert an TAX2020 File

TAX2020 files cannot be directly converted to other formats through standard conversion tools due to their proprietary nature. However, TurboTax does provide some export options:

1. PDF Format: Within TurboTax, you can save a completed return as a PDF file

   • This allows viewing the tax forms without needing TurboTax software
   • In desktop TurboTax: File → Save as PDF
   • In TurboTax Online: Tax Tools → Print Center → Save as PDF

2. Data Import/Export: When using newer versions of TurboTax, you can import data from your TAX2020 file

   • For example, TurboTax 2021 can import data from a TAX2020 file to pre-fill certain fields
   • Similarly, TurboTax 2020 can import data from a TAX2019 file

Applications That Open TAX2020 Files

Windows Apps for TAX2020 Files:

• Intuit TurboTax Paid

macOS Apps for TAX2020 Files:

• Intuit TurboTax Paid